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I am not a Republican

Submitted by Pablo-Manriquez on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 14:10

...but I'm not a Democrat, either.  Instead, I'm a political strategy enthusiast and a policy fiend with no love whatso for the crooked Congresspeople on Capital Hill.  Admittedly, I did volunteer and vote for Obama in '08 and don't yet regret those decisions.  I have also blogged & will continue to blog in the Huffington Post. 

So...does this mean I can't blog here?  I hope not.  Just as Washington required Frenchman to paint him a decent portrait and design a new capitol city, "to build a new Republican Party and conservative movement" will require diverse perspectives. 

As an outsider, I can right away bring up two GOP assets that have made a positive impression on me of late:

  1. Meghan McCain's new media instincts (authenticity)
  2. Jon Henke's post yesterday (humility)

Republicans will be wise to read & reread Jon's post; internalize it; keep a copy under your pillow.  Focus especially on Point 3 in which Jon observes that:

...while "No" is often the best political position of all, a movement also needs a more positive vision and agenda.  At the moment, the Right does not have this. 

While the Right is very unhappy with the status quo, it does not yet know how to change it.  So here is the most crucial lesson of all for the Tea Party protesters and the Right's new guards: This is not about Democrats.

Well put.  And if you take that as a starting point, you're well on your way to building a new party & movement.  That said, if y'all don't mind my joining the conversation, I don't mind hanging out.  Only note that I'm not so much here for the Politics, just the Strategy & Action. 

Thoughts?

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Comments

I am open to thoughts from the center left

Submitted by SteveB on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 14:52.

I posted something on my blog recently that I think begins to speak to this:

First and foremost the conservative message needs to start targeting the younger crowd, and there are ways to do this without abandoning any core conservative principles. It is a simple matter of focus. Hard core social issues work to the traditional base of the party, but they often turn off younger voters who are more libertarian in their social views. However, the under 40 crowd cares a lot about the environment and their own futures in a rapidly evolving economy. These are both areas that are inherently in the conservatives’ ballpark. What is more conservative than environmental conservation and the growing of a strong domestic economy? Therefore a more vocal and public focus on these issues would attract younger adults who would vote for a strong pro-environment, pro-economy message, even if they might not agree with every social policy a traditional Republican would support. If conservatives could push a truly revolutionary energy policy, one that was market driven, but also forward looking, they could speak directly to this demographic. 

I am in complete agreement with John that we need to define ourselves outside of Democrats, and I think the best way to do that is to start emphasising those attributes of conservatism that have the braodest appeal. We don't need to abandon what has worked in the past, but those issues don't necessarily need to be front page material every time either.

Rule of law and ethics hold possibilities

Submitted by acinphx on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 16:06.

For what it's worth, I'll share my new bright line for even considering a candidate, and it applies equally to Democrats and Republicans.

I will not consider voting for any candidate who doesn't take a clear, unequivocal position that America does not employ torture in any circumstance, including in wartime.  That simple.  I will never participate in torture by enabling a person who can find justification for it.  It shreds the rule of law, offends my values and is anathema to American ethics.

From a strategic standpoint, if the GOP is interested in broadening appeal to younger voters, I think they would do well to consider that younger people are the most likely to have a number of peers on active duty.  To read the Red Cross report and the torture memos, and to reflect on those techniques being used on friends or family members captured in the course of their service, is to recognize the horrors of Cheney-style sadism.  Of course, many voters of all ages have friends and family in the armed services, but I'm making the point that torture apologists might be especially ill-received by the cohort most likely to see their peers subjected to the same techniques.

Torture apology can take very subtle forms.  I thought it was illuminating that during the GOP convention the speakers referred to John McCain as being "beaten and isolated." during his captivity.  Nope; he was tortured.  It was chilling to see the party pretend that what he endured was anything less than torture, because its current leaders were engaging in torture and the word couldn't be spoken.

 

that means that I wouldn't be someone you would vote for

Submitted by RisingTide on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 16:09.

... and though I believe in realpolitik, my limits on the use of torture would be quite... tight, indeed.

then again, I know someone who still wakes screaming from dreams of torture and death (which being bled out truly seems like)

No, I wouldn't

Submitted by acinphx on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 16:30.

Sorry, RisingTIde, I learn from your posts and you offer interesting viewpoints, but I wouldn't vote for you.  My perspective is based on a strong belief that the rule of law and our ethics are what is truly exceptional about America.  Without those, we're just another nation subject to the whims of the despots in office at any given moment.

I don't expect many people to agree with me, and will acknowledge that to a great extent my horror at what has been documented is compounded by having a son in the Air Force and recognizing our actions have increased the likelihood he would have to endure the same techniques should be be captured. 

I imagine that Pres. Bush felt his 'limits' were quite 'tight' as well. 

I believe in the rule of law as well, and our ethics.

Submitted by RisingTide on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 10:27.

I believe that torture should remain illegal, and anyone who does it should do it with the knowledge that their career and freedom from prison is in jeopardy.

That said, I do support torture as an implement of extreme last resort. You're a fool if you think any president, even Jimmy, would believe otherwise.

I believe that America must protect her good name, and her ethics, from what may be required to save America.

and I pray to god that we never need to torture a single soul, as it is a truly horrible thing to do.

Oh, no, not another...

Submitted by davidfarrar on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 16:29.

 

 

...who thinks he knows what is wrong with the Republican Party and, for our sake, is willing to share it with us.

If that wasn't enough, we have another ... 

 

 

...who believes conservatives on this website actually care what he believes.

The only thing you guys need to do on this website is...

ex animo

davidfarrar

 

Why do you come here?

Submitted by SteveB on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 16:46.

Your comments sound like those of a 13 year old. I realize that blogging means being willing to listen to all sorts of comments but really- do you have to always just insult everyone. It gets tiresome.

I am not interested in getting into a back and forth now---I'm done.

 

 

Present company....

Submitted by davidfarrar on Fri, 04/17/2009 - 22:42.

...excluded, of course.

 

ex animo

davidfarrar